Rotterdam University of Applied Siences  is an metropolitan university with approximately 31,000 students and about 3,000 professionals. The Willem de Kooning Academy of Arts & Design is one of 11 institutes of Rotterdam university. The Willem de Kooning Academy of Arts & Design holds a prominent position in Rotterdam and beyond in the Netherlands and the international European and global environment . It’s history dates back to the second half of the 18^th century.

The art collection of Rotterdam University consists of contemporary art by former students of the Willem de Kooning Academy of Arts & Design, part of Rotterdam University.

Artpolicy
With a few exceptions, the commission for the arts has always targeted at artists who have won their professional spurs as former students of the Willem de Kooning Academy of Arts & Design.
As a result of this, the art collection of  Rotterdam University offers a great variety in the high-grade potential of the Willem de Kooning Academy of Arts & Design.

History
In 1994, Rotterdam University had a plan to build up a collection of art, initiated by Hein van Haaren, director of the Academie voor Beeldende Kunsten Rotterdam – now the Willem de Kooning Academy of Arts & Design.The Board of Directors committed the collection to an independent commission of art, whose initiator became the first chairman.The commission for the arts had a regular annual budget. At present, the collection consists of more than 130 works of art by more than 80 artists.Rotterdam University distinguishes itself from most other Universitys in the Netherlands.In 2001 Hein van Haaren was succeeded by the present (external) chairman, Hans Walgenbach, former director of the ‘Museum Rotterdam’, who is well-known in Rotterdam art life.The commission for art consists of employees of Rotterdam University: Hans Andringa and Jan van Heemst, teachers at the Willem de Kooning Academy of Arts & Design, Bert Steenbeek, teacher at the ‘Instituut voor Sociale Opleidingen’, and Hans Verbij, teacher at the ‘Instituut voor Bouw en Bedrijfskunde’. Further, Helen Hulspas, assistant of the ceo, is the secretary.They all share a feeling and a passion for art. The commission for the arts meets about ten times a year and even finds extra time for visiting studios, galleries, fairs and expositions.
Occasionally the commission for the arts grants specific assignments.